Texas Road Trip - Film Style

See how small the XA is!

I was in Texas over the past week & 1/2.  I visited Houston, San Antonio & Austin both for vacation & for photoshoots.  During my downtime and while not otherwise occupied I did street photography. I used both a Sony A6000 (I know, don't hate on my for referring to a digital camera on my film blog) and this beauty, my Olympus XA.  This is a slick little 35mm rangefinder, that is super easy to use.

Just set the desired aperture (on the sliding dial to the right of the lens) and set the focal distance.  You are good to go.  There is a very small split focusing area in the center of the viewfinder that helps in focusing (although I mainly eyeballed the range) and a speed gauge in the viewfinder.  It's really that simple.   Once you set your desired aperture you press the shutter release.  The gauge tells you what speed was selected.  Obviously, if you want faster or slower shutter speeds you just change your aperture.  It ranges from "flash", through f/2.8 through f/22.  An excellent range.  

The camera is tiny and is super silent.  Perfect for a film street photographer.

The only gripe I have with the camera is there is no shutter lock.  Therefore, if you advance the film and put the camera in your bag (even with the lens cover closed) the slightest touch not he very touchy shutter release button on top of the camera releases the shutter.  I'm sure I have at least 12 misfires.

Anyway, other than that, the camera is uber.  I went through about 10 rolls along with my digital shots.  I'll post some images after I get the film back. 

Mixed lot film & case by The Japan Camera Hunter

Accessories Are Cool

Just like in my digital photography world, I buy accessories for my film camera photography.  Not as much of course, but I still by accessories.  One of the little annoyances with film photography is keeping your film together in your bag & in order.  Having a film case helps.  I bought a D sized battery holder for this purpose and they work fine, but it doesn't hold 120 film.  I shoot both.  Something better was needed.

I was recently watching a video blog post by Eric Kim, an excellent street photographer who I know & visited my studio once.   I follow his blog and podcasts.  He recently posted a video blog about a visit to Bellamy Hunt AKA, the Japan Camera Hunter in Tokyo.  I had heard of TJCH but had never investigated his website in detail. 

Following Eric's  video blog post I visited Bellamy's site and saw he sold both 120 film cases as well as 35mm film cases.   Well, I ordered one each.  Pricing was super reasonable as was the shipping to the USA from Japan.  The 35mm case holds 10 rolls & the 120 holds 5.  They come in a few colors too.  Delivery was quick, and since it really wasn't something I needed immediately a few days wait was no dramas.

They arrived today, and I've already loaded them up.  They will fit nicely in my camera bag, so I'm set.  Honestly, did I REALLY need the film cases...nope, but then I did it anyway.

Here you go